Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Officials at Charlotte Douglas International are examining if they should continue to allow just three taxi companies sole rights to pick up passengers at the airport. This after renewed charges a pay-to-play scheme determined those slots. But the airport may have no choice but to extend the controversial contract.

Federal aviation officials have allowed Charlotte Douglas International Airport to resume daytime takeoffs and landings on its lone diagonal runway. Our news partner CorneliusNews.net reports the move could mean fewer low-flying jets – and a bit of peace and quiet -- in the area north of the airport. The FAA restricted use of Runway 23 last summer amid concerns about the safety of crossing flight paths.

Duke Energy says it will remove the coal ash controversially stored on the banks of Mountain Island Lake. That has long been a goal of environmental groups. After that announcement, Duke quickly offered a proposal to the City of Charlotte: use the ash at Charlotte-Douglas airport, as fill for land, for new runways, taxiways, and other projects. That proposal from Duke could be a cheap option for an airport whose calling card is its low cost.

Duke Energy has announced plans to close many coal ash ponds across the state, including at the Riverbend Steam Station on Mountain Island Lake, after at least 30,000 tons of the toxic byproduct from burning coal spilled into the Dan River last month. City officials say Duke and another company have proposed that the airport use the ash.

The City of Charlotte has canceled its plan for an ambitious solar power project at Charlotte-Douglas airport, at least for now. Airport officials say new construction and old bonds make the project unfeasible.

You may be seeing more cars with those fuzzy pink mustaches attached to their grilles in the coming weeks. The app-based ride sharing service Lyft has expanded its coverage area in Charlotte to include most of the metro area, including Charlotte-Douglas airport. WFAE’s Duncan McFadyen reports it’s the first major ride-sharing service to start picking up passengers at the airport.